Dhaka: The whole of Bangladesh is at risk of coronavirus infection now that COVID-19 patients have been detected in 43 of the 64 districts, the Directorate General of Health Services has said.

Abul Kalam Azad, director-general of health services, made the announcement in a statement on Thursday citing the powers vested upon the directorate by the 2018 law to prevent, control and eliminate communicable diseases.

Abul Kalam Azad. File PhotoAbul Kalam Azad. File PhotoReferencing the World Health Organization guidelines, Azad said only social distancing can keep the outbreak under control as no vaccine or treatment is available for the disease.
“People must stay at home. Travel from one area to another is strictly restricted. No one will be allowed outdoors from 6pm to 6am,” he said.

The DGHS threatened violators of the law with tough action.

The authorities put 29 districts on lockdown until Thursday evening as the daily rate of known infections and death toll continued to jump.

Bangladesh recorded a total of 1,572 known coronavirus infections with 341 new cases as the death rose by 10 to 60 until morning.

Among the districts, Dhaka has the most recorded infection with 546 confirmed cases, followed by Narayanganj, which is considered the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, with 214 patients.

Gazipur has 53 known COVID-19 patients, Chattogram 31, Narsingdi 28, Munshiganj 21, Madaripur 19, Kishoreganj 17, Cumilla 14, Gaibandha and Jamalpur 12 each, Barishal 10, and Gopalganj and Tangail nine each.

https://bdnews24.com/coronavirus-pandemic/2020/04/16/entire-bangladesh-is-at-risk-of-coronavirus-health-directorate